Process of treating match-heads



UNITED STATES PATENT orru'on.

WILLIAM A. FAIRBURN, OF GREAT BARRINGTON, I'iIASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PROCESS OF TREATING MATCH-HEADS,

No Drawing.

To aZZ whom. it 172 (41 c'omxr'm Be it known that I, VVILLLUI A. FAIR- BURN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Great Barrington, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, (formerly of Short Hills, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey,) have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Treating Match-Heads, of which the following is a specification.

It has heretofore beenv proposed to use as an ingredient of match compositions an alkali metal bichromatc, such as otassium biehromate, for the purpose of re ucing the hygroscopic property of the glue or analogous binder content of the composition; but if such binder contain a high percentage of gelatin, ehondrin, or similar material naturally antagonistic to alkali metal bichromate, the amount of alkali metal bichromate that can be used in the composition is relatively small, and hence the moisture-resisting effect produced is proportionately weak.

As high jelly strength glues having a liberal percentage of gelatin, chondrin and the like, possess many inherent practical advantages as a binder for match compositions, it is the object of my invention to provide a simple, economical and efficient process whereby match compositions containing such glues can be rendered relatively more im pervious to moisture, such result being attained by increasing the chemical activity of the bichromate (or othefisuitable chro mium compound or. compound containing CrO in its molecule) upon the glue content of the composition after the heads have been formed on the match splints with said. composition.

In carrying out the invention in the preferred way I mix with the usual ingredi cuts of the match composition an amount of alkali metal bichromate which can be used with safety without the undue thickening of the composition or the tanning (tawing) of the gelatin and chondrin content of the binder; such amount varying of course with the jelly strength and the constitution of the binder.

The ends of the match splints are dipped in the usual manner into the composition containing the glue-bichromate mixture; and the heads thus produced are subjected tot-he efficient influence of an intense light,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 9, 1918.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Serial No. 261,893.

the actinic rays whereof materially increase the chemical aiiinity between the bichroniate and the glue and thus render the latter, and perforce the match composition, relatively more impervious to moisture, and permit of a smaller quantity of alkali metal bichromate being used to obtain the result desired.

The source of light employed in practising my invention is preferably one that afi'ords ultra-violet rays, such, for example, as mercury vapor lamps, powerful inclosed are lamps, or intense incandescent lamps of the nitrogen-filled high power type; the light rays however produced being preferably reflected and playing directly upon the composition heads ofthc matches as nearly as possible parallel with the axes of the match splints so as to act uniformly upon the entire exposed surfaces of the match heads.

A source of light can be arranged adjacent the route of the endless splint-carrier of a continuous match machine at some distance in the rear of each of the composition chests, or heading devices, or, if de sired, one lighting unit can be arranged to act on the heads of the matches at any point in the travel of the splint carrier between the composition-applying and matclr discharging stations of the match machine. Since such carrier supports the match splints in spaced relation to each other with the match heads pointing outwardly from the carrier, the source of light can be conveniently arranged in proximity to the path of the heads of the matches in the horizontal run of the carrier prior to the point of take-ofi'; and as the traveling spaced matches approach, reach and pass the condition of being parallel to the direct rays of light, such rays will first strike the front of the heads. then the outer ends of the heads, and then the back of the heads; thus insuring the eflectual treatment of the entire surfaces of the individual match heads. In order to attain the maximum benefit of my invention the match heads should be substantially air dry, 2'. (2., they should contain no sensible moisture, before being subjected to the active rays of light, for the reason that the action of ultra=violet rays on the water content of the head composition produces ozone which is apt to cause a partial oxidation of the combustible components of the heads. and also to deteriorate somewhat the moist glue. I, therefore, preferably dry the match heads by artificial means before they are acted upon by the light rays.

if under any conditions the heat from the lamps should be too great, especially for the sensitive ignition tips oi sowallcd (|onhledipped matches, two layers of transparent material, such as quartz, with an adequate dead-air space lwlween them. can be ar ranged between the match splints and the source of light: the space between the matches and said transparent material being connected either with natural exhaust ventilation or with an artificial air supply or exhaust if desired.

As above indicated my invention is cspcciallv applicable to composition match heads containing glues having a high per centage of gelatin or chondrin, in order that the activity of the necessarily relatively small amount of alkali metal bichromate that can be used with suchglues can be intensified. The invention. however, can also be beneficially used with composition match heads containing glues and gums having a relatively large percentage of gelatose with or without the presence of much gelatonc, Or with small quantities of chondrin. Moreover the invention can be used with composition match heads containing, instead of an alkali metal hichromate as an ingredient. any chromate, bichromatc or other chromium compound, as well as chromic acid, that is capable of reacting with glue con stituents (or gelatin) to produce a water proof insoluble hodv when the match heads are subjected to the influence of intense light rays.

It is therefore lo be understood that my invention in its broad aspect is not limited to use with a match-head composition containing any specific form or grade of glue or other gelatinous binder, nor with a composition containing any specific chromium compound or compound containing the CrC) group.

I claim 1. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing as ingredients :1. gelatinous material and a chromium compound capable of reacting with the said material to produce a moisture-resisting body, which consists in subjecting the said heads, after their formation, to the influence of intense artificial light rays.

2. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing as ingredients a gelatinous binder and an alkali metal bichromate, which consists in subjecting the said heads, after their formation, to the influence of intense artificial light rays.

3. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing as ingredients a glue having a large percentage of gelatin and an alkali metal bichromate, which consists in subjecting the said heads, after their formation, to the influence of intense artificial light.

4. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing as ingredients :1 gelatinous binder and an alkali metal biehroniatc, which consists in subjecting the said heads, after their formation, to the influence of intense light rays, said rays extending toward the match heads and substantially parallel with the axes of the match splints.

In the manufacture of matches, the improven'ient which comprises exposing match heads containing a gelatinous material and a compound containing the 010 group, to the action of intense artificial light suliicient to materially increase the rate of action between said two materials,

6, In the manufacture of matches, the step of subjecting to the action of intense light, while preventing the presence of such a degree of heat as would be dangerous, match heads containing a gelatinous material and a mineral tanning agent.

7. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing as ingredients a glue having a large percentage of gelatin and an alkali metal'bichromate, which consists in subjecting the said heads, after their formation, to the influence of intense artificial light rich in actinic rays.

8. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing as ingredients a glue having a large percentage of gelatin and a chromium compound capable of reacting with the glue constituents to produce a moisture-resisting body, which consists in subjecting the said heads, after their formafion. to the influence of intense artificial light rich in ultra-violet rays.

9. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing as ingredients a glue having a large percentage of gelatin and an alkali metal bichromate, which consists in subjecting the said heads, after their formation, to the influence of intense artificial light rich in ultra-violet rays.

10. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing as ingredients a gelatinous binder and an alkali metal bichromate, which comprises subjecting the said heads, after their formation, to the influence of intense light rays, while protecting the said match heads from excessive heat produced at the source of light.

11. In the continuous manufacture of matches having heads containing a gelatinous material and a chromium compound capable of reacting with the said material to produce a moisture-resistin body, the improvement which comprises a vancing the matches in spaced relation to each other, after the formation of their heads, through a zone of intense artificial light which envelops the heads of the progressing matches.

12. In the continuous manufacture of matches having heads containing a gelatinous binder and an alkali metal bichroinate, the improvement which comprises advancin the matches in spaced relation to each other, after the formation of their heads, light progressing through a zone of intense artificial which envelops the heads of the matches.

13. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing a gelatinous material and a chromium compound capable of reacting with the said material to produce a moisture-resisting body, comprising rendering the heads substantially air dry after their formation, and then subjecting them to the influence of intense artificial light rich in ultra-violet rays.

14. A process of treating the composition heads of matches containing a gelatinous binder and an alkali metal bichromate comprisin rendering the heads substantially air dry after their formation, and then subjecting them to the influence of intense artificial light rich in ultra-violet rays.

Signed at New York, in the county of and State of New York this 8th day of Novemher A. D. 1918.

WILLIAM A. FAIRBURN. 

